Nearly two years after a devastating crash in Minneapolis claimed the lives of five young women, Derrick John Thompson admitted in court Thursday that he was behind the wheel. Despite his emotional plea for forgiveness, Hennepin County District Court sentenced him to nearly 59 years in prison.
Thompson, 29, will serve five consecutive third-degree murder sentences, one for each of his victims: Sabiriin Ali, 17; Sahra Gesaade, 20; Salma Abdikadir, 20; Sagal Hersi, 19; and Siham Adam, 19.
Speaking publicly about the 2023 crash for the first time, Thompson turned to the courtroom gallery, where grieving family and friends of the victims sat, and begged for mercy. “There is not a day I don’t ask God why he didn’t take me instead and let your beautiful angels still be here,” Thompson said to local ABC affiliate KSTP.
But his last-minute confession drew no sympathy. The families criticized him harshly for delaying his admission and forcing them through two emotionally draining trials. He was labeled a “loser” and described as inhumane, with family members rejecting the notion that the crash was accidental. The court heard how Thompson drove a rented Cadillac Escalade at over 110 mph on Interstate 35W, ran a red light at Lake Street, and slammed into a Honda Civic carrying the five women.
Last month, a jury found him guilty of 15 felonies — five counts of third-degree murder and ten counts of criminal vehicular homicide. “I hope reality suffocates you for the rest of your life,” said Sundus Odhowa, Siham’s sister. “You should never know freedom again. You should never know peace.”
“All we have left are memories, and the last memory we shared together as a family was their funeral,” said Sundus Ali, Sabiriin’s sister. Thompson’s attorney, Tyler Bliss, argued for concurrent sentences, noting the incident was a single act, not premeditated murder. However, Judge Lamas sided with prosecutors, delivering five separate sentences for each life lost, according to a courtroom report from the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The five young women were beloved in their community — devout Muslims, active volunteers at Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center, and students preparing to graduate. Their deaths devastated a close-knit Somali-American community.
“These were girls with big hearts, big dreams, and bright futures,” said Yusra Ali, a close friend. “Their loss is not just emotional; it’s deeply personal to everyone who knew them.” Thompson rejected a plea deal last year that would have seen him serve 32–38 years. Now, under sentencing guidelines, he may be released in 39 years, followed by 20 years of probation.